Your intrepid author attended an informative ESSA training session yesterday that highlighted a lot of the areas principals and superintendents are most curious about in the new law. As you begin consultations for next year, remind yourself of the highlights and be prepared to go in fighting. 2016-17 is intended as the transition year - that means your LEA and you should practice some of the new aspects of the law, such as:
- Asking for detailed information on how your proportionate share was determined (now required in ESSA);
- If and how one-on-one tutoring, counseling, and mentoring will be included under Title I (new services covered in ESSA);
- Working with the new ombudsman and who that will be.
Most importantly, if you have had a tough relationship with your LEA, this is a chance to start anew. Under ESSA, the goal of consultation is to reach consensus - not for the LEA to tell you what your students will receive. That means a stronger position for Catholic school administrators in consultation. Don't be afraid to use it!
Lastly, the Department of Education put out information telling us they do not intend to write many more regulations beyond the "supplement, not supplant" and assessments rules currently under negotiation. They will be releasing rules for state plans, which we will update you on when it is released.
